10 reasons why Congress lost to BJP in Chhattisgarh assembly election

While the assembly election results in the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana are along the expected lines, the case of Chhattisgarh where the BJP is set to win a clear majority has come as a shock as even the exit polls had given a clear edge to the ruling Bhupesh Baghel Congress government to retain power in the state.

Hyderabad: As counting of votes for the assembly elections in four key states heads to the last rounds, BJP is set for a landslide victory in three states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while Congress is set to oust the KCR led BRS government in Telangana. While the results in three states- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana are along the expected lines, the BJP's win in Chhattisgarh has come as a shock to both the Congress and the psephologists alike as even the exit polls released on the eve of the counting day predicted that the incumbent Bhupesh Baghel led Congress government will retain power in the state.

The BJP was leading on 55 of the 90 seats while the Congress on 32 when reports last came in. So what led to the Congress's defeat in Chhattisgarh. ETV Bharat explores the reasons.

Anti-incumbency: Anti-incumbency factor is believed to have played a role in Congress's defeat in Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh unit of the BJP centred its poll campaign around the “five years of misrule” by outgoing Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. On the eve of counting, Chhattisgarh BJP President Arun Sao said that the people of Chhattisgarh were “fed up of” the Baghel government and “want to get rid of it”.

Overconfidence: After multiple exit polls on Nov 30 said that the Congress will have an edge over the BJP in Chhattisgarh, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the Congress will “return to power with landslide victory”. “Multiple exit polls are there, but there is no uniformity. When the results are out, our government will be formed and with landslide victory,” Baghel told reporters. Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi, who extensively campaigned in the states too said that they will win the assembly elections in all the four states.

Mutiple 'scam' cases: In the run up to the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, the BJP cited the multiple alleged scams involving the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel. Notable of them are the liquor 'scam', coal 'scam' and the Mahadev betting app case. In the latter, Baghel was alleged to have received kickbacks worth Rs 508 crore through a “courier”.

In the custom rice milling scam, the ED had alleged that a former managing director of the state MARKFED and some office-bearers of the state rice millers’ association, including treasurer Roshan Chandrakar, district marketing officers (DMOs) and a few rice millers generated Rs 175 crore bribes for the “benefit of higher powers”

The BJP accused the Congress of corruption in job recruitment for 2021-22, particularly in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC). The party claimed that the government showed favoritism towards the relatives and close associates of politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, and top officials' children in the Commission.

BJP Vice President Raman Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a CBI investigation into the alleged CGPSC selection scam. Singh, in his letter, included relevant documents and a High Court order that halted the appointment of 13 candidates. He highlighted the significance of the CGPSC examination, with around 1.5 million young candidates participating annually.

The BJP further released a 104-page "chargesheet" against the Congress, alleging widespread corruption, nepotism, and scams under the Baghel government.

'Forced conversions' among tribals: Besides the issue of corruption, the opposition BJP also cornered the ruling Congress over the alleged forced conversions among the tribals in the tribal-Adivasi dominated regions of the state. Discord between tribals and converted Christians, as well as dissatisfaction over policy changes, posed challenges for the Congress in the Bastar Belt.

Congress’ failure to address crucial tribal issues, such as the protection of "Jal, Jungle, and Jameen" (Water, Forest, and Land) and the effective implementation of the Panchayat Extension in Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, was another setback for the party.

Spike in Maoist attacks: The BJP also targeted the ruling Congress over the spike in Maoist attacks on the security forces during the latter's tenure in the state. In the deadliest Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in two years, the Maoists killed ten District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel after triggering an IED in Dantewada district in April this year.

Farmers' issues: In a bid to woo the voters, the BJP, in its election manifesto in Chhattisgarh, had promised to procure paddy from farmers at Rs 3100 per quintal, which is Rs 500 more than the farmers are getting under the Congress government.

Congress's unfulfilled promises: The Bhupesh Baghel led Congress government in Chhattisgarh was also facing criticism for failing to fulfil its promises at the time of 2018 assembly elections when it came to power. These include blanket ban on liquor, free cooking gas cylinders and regularisation of contractual employees working in various departments in the state.

Despite being in power for five years, the promised liquor ban was never implemented. Nonetheless, the Congress government had established a committee to monitor states where alcohol prohibition is already in effect, whose results will now be considered by the new party in power - the Bhartiya Janta Party.

Infighting: The Chhattisgarh Congress was also marred by infighting with senior leader TS Singh Deo openly criticising the ruling party in the state. The central leadership later sorted the matter as Singh Deo was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Environmental issues: Amid allegations of irregularities in the coal transporation, the Bhupesh has been facing scrutiny over the impacts of mining on environment.

Modi factor: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who extensively campaigned for the BJP is also believed to have played a key role in the BJP's incredible victory in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections.